Caliper for use with a micrometer caliper



Oct. 22, 1963 D. G. WAY

CALIPER FOR USE WITH A MICROMETER CALIPER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 3,1961 Oct. 22, 1963 D. G. WAY

CALIPER FOR USE WITH A MICROMETER CALIPER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 3,1961 m mm a.

liilllili "mum W United States Patent 3,107,433 (IALIPER 1 0R USE WITH AMICROMETER CALIPER David G. Way, Boxhorough, Mass, assignor or one-halfto George J. Roderick, Wellesiey, Mass. Filed Nov. 3, 1961, Ser. No.15%,020 1% Claims. (Q1. 33-143) My present invention relates to acaliper for use with a micrometer caliper.

Micrometer calipers are widely used in measuring outside dimentions andthe smallest of these, enabling measurements up to one inch to be made,is commonly the first precision measuring tool acquired by a mechanicand has the feature that its accuracy can always be checked bydetermining whether or not a zero reading exists when its contacts arein mutual engagement. A series of micrometer calipers is required,however, to permit measurements to be made through a wide range unlessother types of measuring instruments, such a a Vernier caliper, are usedand such are expensive and difiicult to use accurately.

There is, accordingly, a demand for a caliper, particularly one for usein taking both inside and outside measurements, that combines relativelylow cost with adaptability for use with a micrometer caliper,particularly the small size above referred to, thus to enable a widerange of measurements to be easily and accurately made. The provision ofsuch calipers is the principal objective of this invention.

In accordance with the invention that objective is attained by providinga caliper that is for use with a micrometer caliper and that comprises abeam, first and second arms movable along the beam with means providedfor establishing a plurality of equally spaced positions of the firstarm along the beam and with the second arm being infinitely adjustablealong the beam and capable of total adjustment at least as great as thespacing between each two proximate positions of the first arm. The beamand the second arm each have an anvil and these are so arranged anddisposed that their spacing decreases from a predetermined far-apartposition to a predetermined close-together position as the second arm ismoved towards the first arm. The anvils have opposed faces the distancebetween which is measurable by a micrometer caliper through apredetermined range including the predetermined positions. The distancebetween each two proximate positions of the first arm is within thatrange.

In use, the two arms are adjusted to engage the work by first settingthe first arm in the appropriate one of its positions along the beam andthen making the fine adjustment by moving the second arm. By using aseparate measuring scale, the distance between the measuring faces ofthe arms and the micrometer caliper reading, as measured over theanvils, can be combined to give the exact dimension that is sought. Itis preferred, however, to avoid the use of a separate measuring scale,and to use indicia on the beam that are so arranged that the micrometercaliper reading may be added directly to the indicia associated with theposition of the first arm to give the exact dimension sought withmaximum convenience.

ther general objectives are concerned with the anvils and theirattachment to the beam and to the second arm, with the adjustment of therelation of the anvil faces to each other, with the construction of thebases of the arms, and with the relative dimensions of the anvils andwork engaging contacts relative to the spacing between each twoproximate positions of the first arm.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodimentof the invention from which these and other of its objectives, novelfeatures, and advantages will be readily apparent. In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a caliper in accordance with theinvention,

FIGURE 2 is a side view thereof indicating its use in making an outsidemeasurement with the fine adjustment being measured by an indicatedmicrometer caliper,

FIGURE 3 is a section, on an increased scale, taken approximately alongthe indicated lines 33 of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are sections, on the scale of FIG- URE 3, takenapproximately along the indicated lines 44, 55, and 6-6, respectively,of FIGURE 2.

In accordance with the invention, a beam 10 supports the generallyindicated bases 11 and 12 of the arms 13 and 14-, respectively. The arms13 and 14 are provided, adjacent their ends, with alined inwardlydisposed contacts 15 for use in taking outside measurements, such asmeasuring the diameter of the indicated shaft S. The contacts 15 includeoutwardly disposed ends 15a for engaging the work when insidemeasurements are wanted.

referably the arms 13 and 14 are of sufficient length to ensure that,for example, they may so straddle the largest shaft that can be measuredwith the caliper as to bring their contacts 15 into contact therewith atdiametrically spaced points. The beam 10 is shown as having a series ofequally spaced notches 16 along one of its edges. These are shown asspaced one-half of an inch from each other, although, in terms of metricmeasurements, the spacing from each other would be ten millimeters, forexample.

The base 11 consists of plates 17 and 17a joined to the arm 13 and to amount 18 as by rivets 17b. The end of the arm 13 joined to the plates 17and 17a terminates in a pair of spaced beam-engaging bearings 13a. Themount 18, see FIGURE 5, has a bore 19 in comumnication with the notchedbeam edge in a zone between the bearing 13a and the bore 19 receives ananchor 20 whose beam-engaging end portion 20a is tapered to seat in anynotch and to be held against being wedged therefrom, on relativemovement between the base 11 and the beam 10, by means of a screw 21threaded into the outer part of the bore 19,

thus enabling the base 11, and accordingly the arm 13, to V be securelylocked in any selected position. It will be noted, see FIGURE 5, thatthe anchor portion 200: is rectangular, in cross section, and engaged bythe sides 17 and 17a. A side of the beam 10 is provided with measuringindicia appropriate for each notch 16 and it will be noted that the base11 has circular ports 22 and 23 whose centers are shown as spaced oneinch apart with the left hand one, the port 22, being used when outsidemeasurements are being made and the number visible in the right handone, the port 23, being used when inside dimensions are being taken.

The base 12 consists of plates 24 and 24a joined to the arm 14 and themount 25 as by rivets 24b with the plates 24 and 24a extending beyondthe proximate end of the beam 10. The end of the arm 14 that is joinedto the base 12 terminates in a pair of spaced, beam edge engagingbearings 14a. The mount 25 has a bore 26 in which there is a pair ofoppositely disposed headed studs 27 urged apart by a spring 28 with onehead engaging an edge of the beam 10 in a zone between the bearings andthe other engaged by a screw 29 threaded in the upper part of the bore26, thus to provide adjustable frictional resistance to the movement ofthe base 12 relative to the beam 10. By advancing the screw 29, thestuds 27 may be brought into end-to-end contact providing a positivelock against such movement of the base 12.

The end of the beam 10 within the base 12 has a member 30 attachedthereto by screws 31 and exposed beyond the unnotched edges of the beamwith the end 32 extending beyond the notched beam edge and machined toprovide a first anvil face 32a. A knurled head 33 of an adjusting screw34 threaded through one of the arm bearings 14a has a stud 35 journalledin the member 30 and the head 33 is backed thereby and confined by ashoulder 36 in the unnotched beam edge. The head 33 is exposed so thatit may readily be engaged and rotated by the user in one direction orthe other thereby to adjust the position of the base 12 of the arm 14relative to the beam 10 and to the base 11 of the arm 13 as required.

Between the ends of the sides 24, 24a of the base 12 there is a member37 having a portion 38 that extends beyond the notched beam edgeadjacent the anvil 32 and is machined to establish it as a second anvilface 33a. The member 37, as may be seen in FIGURE 6, is provided withtransverse bores 39 dimensioned to be slightly oversize relative to thethreaded sleeves 40 of which there is one in each bore. Each sleeve 40receives a pair of screws 41, one for each side 24, 24a and extendingthrough a hole 42 therein the diameter of which is the wire size of thescrews 41. With this arrangement, small but important adjustments can bemade of the position of the member 37 to ensure that the anvil faces 32aand 38a are parallel and spaced apart the desired distance.

It will be noted that the proximate faces of the members 30 and 37 arenot parallel, the face 38b of the member 37 being shown as inclinedslightly away from the proximate face of the member 30 so that theparallel disposition and the spacing of the anvil faces may befacilitated by the use of a carefully machined taper, not shown, thatcan be inserted between said proximate faces.

It will be apparent from FIGURES 2 and 3 that the second arm base 12 isinfinitely adjustable along the beam 10 through a distance at least asgreat as and preferably somewhat more than the spacing between each twoproximate position-establishing notches 16. It will also be noted thatthe spacing of the anvil faces 32a and 38a decreases from apredetermined far-apart position to a predetermined close-togetherposition as the second arm is moved towards the first arm. The distancebetween the anvil faces 32a and 38a is measurable with a micrometercaliper, such as the micrometer caliper M, through a predetermined rangeincluding the predetermined anvil positions referred to and the distancebetween each two proximate notches 16 is, of course, within that range.Because one inch micrometers are so commonly used the caliper is shownand described as constructed and adjustcd for use therewith. For metricmeasurements, a micrometer caliper having a measuring capacity up totwenty-five millimeters is the most commonly owned so that a caliper foruse therewith is preferred.

The indicia on the beam are so arranged that the figure presented by thewindow 22, in the case of an outside dimension, or the figure exposed inthe window 23, in the case of an inside dimension, can have the readingof the micrometer caliper added directly thereto to provide the wantedmeasurement.

As this means that a distance equal to the close-together spacing of theanvil faces 32:: and 38a is included, this factor dictates thearrangement of the indicia, and it is also essential that the length ofeach contact 15, including its portion a, be equal to the distancebetween each two proximate notches 16.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that calipers in accordance withthe invention are well adapted for use in meeting all requirementsattendant the taking of both inside and outside dimensions through awide range.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a caliper for use with a micrometer caliper,

(a) a beam,

(b) first and second arms movable along said beam,

(0) means providing for a plurality of equally spaced positions of saidfirst arm on said beam,

(at) said second arm being infinitely adjustable along said beam andcapable of total adjustment at least as great as the spacing betweeneach two proximate positions of said first arm, and

(e) a pair of anvils, one carried by said beam and the other carried bysaid second arm with their spacing decreasing from a predeterminedfar-apart position to a predetermined close-together position as saidsecond arm is moved towards said first arm, said anvils includingopposed faces the distance between which are measurable by saidmicrometer caliper through a predetermined range including saidpredetermined positions,

(f) the distance between each two proximate positions of said first armbeing within said range.

2. The caliper of claim -1 in which the anvil of the second arm isadjustable relative thereto and to the beam anvil to enable their facesto be disposed in parallel and a predetermined distance apart at apredetermined setting of the second arm on the beam.

3. The caliper of claim 2 in which the proximate face of one anvil isinclined downwardly away from the proximate face of the other anvil.

4. In a caliper for use with a micrometer caliper,

(n) a beam,

(b) first and second arms movable along said beam,

(0) means providing for a plurality of equally spaced positions of saidfirst arm on said beam,

((1') said beam having measuring indicia for measuring said positions,

(e) said second arm being infinitely adjustable along said beam andcapable of total adjustment at least as great as the spacing betweeneach two proximate positions of said first arm, and

(f) a pair of anvils, one carried by said beam and the other carried bysaid second arm with their spacing decreasing from a predeterminedfar-apart position to a predetermined close-together position as saidsecond arm is moved towards said first arm, said anvils includingopposed faces the distance between which are measurable by saidmicrometer caliper through a predetermined range including saidpredetermined positions,

(g) the distance between each two proximate positions of said first armbeing Within said range, but greater than the spacing of the anvilsfaces in said predetermined close together position of said anvils,

(/1) said indicia being arranged to enable the reading of the micrometercaliper, as taken from face-to-face of the anvils, to be added theretoin determining the dimension that is sought.

5. In a caliper for use with a micrometer caliper,

(a) a beam,

(1)) first and second arms movable along said beam,

each arm including a work engaging contact transversely alined with thecontact of the other arm and said contacts being inwardly disposed toreceive work between them, said contacts including outwardly disposedportions for inside measurements,

(0) means providing for a plurality of equally spaced positions of saidfirst arm on said beam,

(d) the length of each contact being equal to the distance between anytwo proximate positions,

(e) said beam having measuring indicia on one face for measuring saidpositions,

(1) said second arm being infinitely adjustable along said beam andcapable of total adjustment at least as great as the spacing betweeneach two proximate positions of said first arm, and

(g) said first arm having a pair of windows through each of whichdifferent indicia are exposed in any of said positions, one window beingfor use when making inside measurements and the other being for use inmaking outside measurements, the centers of said windows being spacedapart a distance equal to twice the length of each work engagingcontact,

d ing beyond said beam end, and a second member attached to said sidesand including a portion extending beyond a beam edge near said firstanvil and constituting a second anvil,

(h) a pair of anvils, one carried by said beam and 5 (g) the spacing ofsaid anvils decreasing from a prethe other carried by said second armwith their spacdetermined far-apart position to a predetermined ingdecreasing from a predetermined far-apart posiclose-together position assaid second arm is moved tion to a predetermined close-together positionas said towards said first arm, said anvils including opposed second armis moved towards said first arm, said faces the distances between whichare measurable anvils including opposed faces the distance between bysaid micrometer caliper through a predetermined which are measurable bysaid micrometer caliper range including said predetermined positions,through a predetermined range including said pre- (h) and a threadedconnection between the other pordetermined positions, tion of said firstmember and said second arm and (i) the distance between each twoproximate positions including a rotatable member confined between saidof said first arm being within said range. shoulder and said otherportion.

6. In a caliper for use with a micrometer caliper, 9. in a caliper foruse with a micrometer caliper,

(a) a beam, (a) a beam including an anvil at one end,

(b) first and second arms movable along said beam, (b) first and secondarms, each arm including a pair (0) means providing for a plurality ofequally spaced of spaced bearing portions for engagement with onepositions of said first arm on said beam, edge of said beam, at mountadjacent the other edge (12) said second arm being infinitely adjustablealong of said beam, and sides interconnecting each arm and said beam andcapable of total adjustment at least the appropriate mount, each mountincluding a as great as the spacing between each two proximate movablemember for engaging said beam in a Zone positions of said first arm,intermediate said bearing portions,

(e) a member attached to the beam end proximate to (0) means providingfor a plurality of equally spaced the second arm and including a portionprotruding positions of said first arm on said beam, beyond an edge ofsaid beam and constituting an (d) said second arm being infinitelyadjustable along anvil, and said beam and capable of total adjustment atleast (f) said second arm including a pair of sides extending as greatas the spacing between said positions of said beyond said member, and asecond member attached first arm, to said sides and including a portionprotruding (e) the sides connected to the second arm including beyondsaid beam edge and constituting a second portions extending beyond saidanvil, and a second anvil, anvil secured to said sides,

g) the spacing of said anvils decreasing from a pre- (f) the spacing ofsaid anvils decreasing as said second determined far-apart position to apredetermined arm is moved towards said first arm from apredeterclose-together position as said second arm is moved minedfar-apart position to a predetermined closetowards said first arm, saidanvils including opposed together position, said anvils includingopposed faces faces the distance between which are measurable by thedistances between which are measurable by said said micrometer caliperthrough a predetermined micrometer caliper through a predetermined rangerange including said predetermined positions, including saidpredetermined positions,

(11) the distance between each two proximate positions of said first armbeing Within said range. 7. The caliper of claim 6 in which the secondmember (g) the distance between each two proximate positions of saidfirst arm being within said range.

10. The caliper of claim 9 in which the movable member associated withthe second arm includes an adjusting has transverse bores, an interiorlythreaded sleeve is a loose fit in each bore, and clamping screws carriedby said sides are threaded in said sleeves.

8. In a caliper for use with a micrometer caliper, (a) a beam providedwith a shoulder adjacent one end, (b) first and second arms movablealong said beam, (0) means providing for a plurality of equally spacedengaging one another before said spring is fully compositions of saidfirst arm on said beam, pressed. (d) said second arm being infinitelyadjustable along Referemes flied in h file of this patent said beam andcapable of total adjustment at least as great as the spacing betweeneach two proximate UNITED STATES PATENTS positions of said first arm,297,056 Bellows Apr. 15, 1884 (e) a member attached to said beam endproximate to 744,028 Billins Nov. 17, 1903 the second arm and includingportions extending 1,648,936 De Bus Nov. 15,1927 beyond the edges ofsaid beam, one portion con- 1,888,416 Williams Nov. 22, 1932 stituting afirst anvil, 2,625,745 Stedman Jan. 20, 1953 (7) said second armincluding a pair of sides extend- 2,741,848 Livingston Apr. 17, 1956

1. IN A CALIPER FOR USE WITH A MICROMETER CALIPER, (A) A BEAM, (B) FIRSTAND SECOND ARMS MOVABLE ALONG SAID BEAM, (C) MEANS PROVIDING FOR APLURALITY OF EQUALLY SPACED POSITIONS OF SAID FIRST ARM ON SAID BEAM,(D) SAID SECOND ARM BEING INFINITELY ADJUSTABLE ALONG SAID BEAM ANDCAPABLE OF TOTAL ADJUSTMENT AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE SPACING BETWEENEACH TWO PROXIMATE POSITIONS OF SAID FIRST ARM, AND